Opening Night

Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause

Monday, June 15

7 p.m. 

92 minutes, English 

Concessions: Flavored popcorn, candy, and coffee bar

Eternally sardonic and effortlessly deadpan, Charles Grodin carved out a singular place in American entertainment. This vibrant documentary celebrates the actor-comedian and broadcast personality whose understated brilliance lit up Elaine May’s The Heartbreak Kid, Martin Brest’s Midnight Run alongside Robert De Niro, and countless mischievously funny late-night TV appearances with Johnny Carson and David Letterman.

Yet, Grodin’s legacy extends far beyond his iconic performances. In later years, he turned his sharp intellect and moral conviction toward activism, using his CNBC talk show to champion prison reform and other pressing social issues. Featuring a treasure trove of film and television clips alongside candid interviews and heartfelt reflections from Robert De Niro, Carol Burnett, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Steve Martin, and Alan Arkin, this rich portrait captures a consummate performer who blended humor with humanity—leaving an indelible mark on comedy, culture, and conscience.

The Everything Pot

Monday, June 22

7 p.m. 

90 minutes, English

Concessions: Wedding cake, popcorn, and coffee bar

Starring Lisa Edelstein ("Long Story Short", "House MD"), James Wolk ("Happy Face"), Gina Torres ("Suits"), Erik Griffin ("Workaholics"), Delaney Rowe, and Deja Monique Cruz. A comedy of errors ensues when empty nester Rachel (Edelstein) hastily sends a gift to Charlie (Wolk), a former colleague, upon receiving his wedding invitation. The young couple’s wedding gets Rachel out of her perpetual state of ennui in her own marriage and brings unexpected excitement, which inadvertently causes chaos in both unions. As one domino falls after another, cracks begin to show in their respective relationships, especially while Rachel’s husband Adam (Griffin) becomes obsessed with getting back their wedding gift: The Everything Pot.

Featuring a post-film discussion with director, writer, and producer, Sherise Dorf
 

Sherise Dorf is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and producer. Her feature directorial debut film, THE EVERYTHING POT, which she also wrote and produced, premiered at The 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and received the Best Director award at the 2024 Cordillera International Film Festival.

THE EVERYTHING POT was one of 19 films named to the 2025 Popcorn List, and was one of three films by first-time female directors selected to their inaugural Pop-Up Series, screening at a curated group of 10 arthouse cinemas nationwide. THE EVERYTHING POT recently launched on the Jewish Film Festival circuit, and will be followed by a theatrical release in North American cinemas later this year.

She is currently writing an intergenerational female buddy dramedy feature film she plans to direct. She is also developing a TV series based on THE EVERYTHING POT, and co-producing a feature film by another first-time Jewish director, starring a primarily Jewish cast including Judy Gold, Richard Masur, and Ella Stiller.

Sherise and her nice Jewish husband, Avi, will celebrate 27 years of marriage this August. Their daughter, Sophie, is 23 and lives and works in Boston, after graduating from Tufts University last May. Her departure for college inspired the opening scene of THE EVERYTHING POT.

Marathon Mom

Monday, June 29

7 p.m. 

90 minutes, English 

Concessions: Popcorn, DIY trail mix bar, and coffee bar

Marathon Mom tells the inspiring story of Beatie Deutsch, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish mother of five who, after a pause from athletics to focus on her family, reignites her passion for running. In 2015, driven by a personal promise and the challenges of motherhood, Beatie embarks on a rigorous journey to complete a marathon. As she trains with dreams of becoming an Olympian, her remarkable journey transcends the track, embodying a powerful message of perseverance and empowerment. Through her story, Beatie inspires other women to embrace their dreams and overcome their own challenges.

We Met at Grossinger's

Monday, July 6 

7 p.m. 

104 minutes, English 

Concessions: Popcorn, ice cream, and coffee bar

We Met at Grossinger’s is an immersive journey through the Jewish Catskills—once known as the Borscht Belt—reviving the iconic resort that inspired Dirty Dancing and defined an era of Jewish American life.

Throughout decades of prejudice stifling the integration of Jewish immigrants in America, the Borscht Belt in the Catskills provided an oasis of belonging, and Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel was the crown jewel. The real-life inspiration for the setting of the 1987 classic film Dirty Dancing, Grossinger’s provided both a physical and mental getaway where Jews—and others from marginalized communities—needing a break from NYC could relax.

The resort’s growing reputation attracted a wide variety of comedians, athletes, and political figures, including Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jackie Robinson, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Award-winning filmmaker, Paula Eiselt (Aftershock, 93Queen), resurrects this vanished world with an immersive warmth, providing a timely reminder of the historic richness of Jewish culture and its immeasurable contributions to American life. 

Closing Night

Once Upon My Mother

Monday, July 13

7 p.m. 

102 Minutes, French (English subtitles)

Concessions: Popcorn, candy, macarons, and coffee bar

In 1963, Esther gave birth to Roland, the youngest sibling of a large family. Roland was born with a club foot that prevented him from standing. Against everyone's advice, she promised her son that he would be able to walk just like everyone else and have a wonderful life.

From that moment on, Esther devoted herself fully to ensuring this promise came true. Spanning decades of hardships and miracles, this film is the story of an incredible destiny and the greatest love of all: a mother's love for her child.

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​Based on Roland Perez’s book Ma Mère, Dieu Et Sylvie Vartan, published in France by Les Escales.